Practice areas
Green cards: the routes to permanent residence, and which one fits you
Adjustment of status, consular processing and employment-based residence.
Consultations by phone, Zoom or WhatsApp, in English, Spanish or Portuguese.
Short answer
Most people get a green card through a family member, an employer or a humanitarian category such as asylum or VAWA. If you are inside the United States and entered legally, you usually adjust status here; if you are abroad or entered without inspection, the case normally goes through a consulate and may need a waiver.
Find the fastest legal route to permanent residence in your situation.
What is a green card?
A Green Card, officially known as a Permanent Resident Card, is a document issued by the U.S. government that grants the holder permanent residency status. With a Green Card, individuals can live and work in the United States indefinitely and enjoy many of the same rights as U.S. citizens. It also offers a pathway to U.S. citizenship after meeting certain residency requirements, typically after 3-5 years.
How to apply for a green card
The process for getting a Green Card varies depending on whether you apply from within the U.S. or abroad. There are two primary Green Card application forms:
1. Applying for a green card from within the U.S. (Adjustment of status)
If you are already in the U.S. on a nonimmigrant visa, have been selected for the Diversity Visa lottery, or are eligible through a family or employer petition, you must file Form I-485 (Application to Adjust Status). This form allows you to change your visa status to permanent residency without leaving the country.
2. Applying for a green card from outside the U.S. (Consular processing)
If you are outside the U.S. and seek to enter as a permanent resident, you will use Form DS-260 (Immigrant Visa Electronic Application). This process is often called "consular processing" and applies to immigrants through family, employer sponsorship, or the Diversity Visa program. Regardless of where you apply, the Green Card process can be complex. That's why expert guidance is essential to ensure all paperwork is filedcorrectly and your case moves forward without unnecessary delays.
- Required Documents for Green Card Applications
- A completed Green Card application form (Form I-485 or DS-260)
- Proof of eligibility (e.g., family relationship, employment offer, or Diversity Visa selection)
- Valid passport or travel document
- Birth certificate and any marriage or divorce certificates, if applicable
- Medical examination and vaccination records
- Affidavit of Support (for family-based applications)
- Any additional documents requested by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) or the consulate
Each case is unique, and the documents required may vary. Working with an immigration professional ensures all the necessary paperwork is complete and correctly submitted.
How long does it take to get a green card?
The processing time for a Green Card can vary significantly depending on the type of application and where you are applying from. Some cases may take a few months, while others can take years. Processing times often depend on visa availability, the applicant's category, and country of origin.
Family-based Green Cards can take 12 to 36 months to process. Employment-based Green Cards may vary even more, depending on the applicant's profession and country quotas. The Diversity Visa Green Card is subject to annual deadlines.
The cost also varies. For applicants applying from within the U.S., the government filing fee for a family-based Green Card is $3005, while for those applying from abroad, the fee is $1340. Remember that these fees do not include the cost of medical exams, which vary by provider. If you're unsure of your case status, you can check the progress of your application online through the USCIS case status tool.
Need help applying for a green card? Call 360 immigration law group
At 360 Immigration Law Group, we understand that obtaining a Green Card is a life-changing process, and we're here to guide you every step of the way. With over 30 years of combined experience, our team is committed to helping you navigate the complexities of U.S. immigration law to achieve your goal of permanent residency with peace of mind. We offer free consultations and can assist you via phone, Zoom, or WhatsApp. Whether you need help with paperwork, eligibility questions, or navigating the immigration system, we are here for you.
and take the first step toward securing your Green Card.
Who qualifies?
You have a qualifying sponsor or category
A relative, an employer, or a humanitarian basis such as asylum, VAWA or a U-visa.
A visa is available in your category
Immediate relatives of citizens always have one; other categories wait for a priority date.
You are admissible or waiver-eligible
Unlawful presence, misrepresentation and some criminal history are barred but often waivable.
You can document your entry and status history
How and when you entered determines whether you can file inside the country.
Schedule a case evaluation
Tell us your situation. We will tell you honestly whether you have a case.
Schedule Free Case EvaluationWe reply within 1 business day, in English, Spanish or Portuguese.
Do you qualify? A four-question check
Do you qualify? A four-question check
Four questions to identify which route applies to you.
What does the process look like?
Identify the category
During the free review
Family, employment or humanitarian, we tell you which one is realistic and which is fastest.
File the underlying petition
2 to 4 weeks
I-130, I-140 or the humanitarian petition that establishes eligibility.
Adjust status or consular process
8 to 16 months
Filed with work and travel authorization where you are adjusting inside the U.S.
Biometrics, interview and decision
2 to 6 months
We prepare the file and prepare you for the questions actually asked.
How long does it take?
Adjustment of status inside the United States generally takes 12 to 20 months. Consular processing takes 14 to 24 months. Employment-based cases add PERM and I-140 time before residence can be requested, which can push the total past three years.
What does it cost?
Flat fee for straightforward cases, quoted before you hire us.
Adjustment and consular packages are usually flat-fee. Cases requiring an I-601 or I-601A waiver, or with a prior removal order, are quoted separately because the evidence burden is much heavier.
Frequently asked questions
Sometimes. Entering without inspection blocks adjustment inside the country for most people, but VAWA, U-visas, asylum and certain older petitions are exceptions.
Contact
Tell us about your case
Send us the basics and we'll reply within one business day in English, Spanish or Portuguese.
- We reply within one business day, in English, Spanish or Portuguese.
- Consultations by phone, Zoom or WhatsApp.
- Attorney input is part of our case evaluation process from the start. The information you share is carefully reviewed with an attorney.
Take the Next Step Today
Whether you need help with a visa, a green card, or deportation defense, we're ready to help.
Reach out to our trusted immigration law attorneys in Coral Springs and South Florida.